Alice's Sacrifice

Chapter 5

It's been 3 days since Alice went to the hospital. Since then her condition has just been getting worse by the day. Right now Aguri was sitting at Alice's bedside. Aguri looked exhausted with bags under her eyes. She hadn't slept much since Alice got sick. "Come on Alice. Wake up." Aguri whispered unable to keep her voice steady. Alice had only woken up once for only a few minutes before her breathing got even worse and going unconscious again. Her unconscious body seemed restless. Every now and again Alice would stir in her sleep, unable to stay comfortable. "Y-you promised you'd be okay. I know you're not someone who breaks her promises. You're strong. So please wake up." Aguri whispered desperately trying to wake her sick friend up. But it was no use. After about five minutes Aguri heard someone open the door. "Hey Aguri. It's time for me to look after Alice now." she heard Makoto softly speak, barely loud enough for her to hear. Aguri stood up and turned around to leave. She saw that Makoto looked just as exhausted and sorrowful as she was. Guilt stabbed her like a thorn. It's all my fault this is happening. Aguri thought. Once she was about to leave to room she suddenly heard Daybi shouting, "I hear a Jikochuu's dark heartbeat!" "Wait, what?!" Makoto said startled almost forgetting to stay quiet. "Where?" Aguri asked the cat-like pixie. "Around here!" Daybi shouted panicked. "We gotta hurry. There are defenseless patients in this hospital." Aguri stated glancing at Alice worriedly as she said that. "Lance! Contact the others. When you're done stay here and watch over Alice." Makoto said to the bear-like pixie. Makoto had been taking care of Lance ever since Alice's incident. "On it!" Lance yelled. "Okay lets go!" Aguri said with Makoto following her out the door.
The Jikochuu was right behind the hospital causing destruction. It looked like a red hospital cross. Bel was not far away from it watching the Jikochuu closely. Makoto and Aguri ran towards the Jikochuu. "Pretty Cure Love Link!" Makoto shouts. "L-O-V-E" Most of her body starts glowing in purple light. First, her hair glows purple and grows into a ponytail, gaining spade shaped earrings and hair accessories in her now lighter purple hair. Arm warmers appear one after the other followed by a dress with her Lovely Commune attached to it. Next a pair of boots appear after she strikes her legs together. She taps her chest with her hands and a heart shaped brooch appears. Finally a dress ribbon appears. "The courageous blade! Cure Sword!" Makoto now Cure Sword yells. Aguri takes out and uses her Love Eyes Palette, and the power of Ai, to transform. Aguri grabs the make-up stick and taps the Royal Crystals placed on the palette. She creates her eye shadow and a heart in the middle flashes three times and then forms a shape of a golden bow that spins and the transformation starts. She appears to be growing up a bit, then creating flames that ignite her. Her costume appears from the flames. "The Trump Card of Love! Cure Ace!" Aguri now Cure Ace shouted. The battle has begun.
Alice found herself slowly drifting back into consciousness. She felt terrible but couldn't help the nagging feeling inside her. "Alice! You're awake!" she heard a relieved voice say. "Huh?" Alice croaked. She moved her head to the side a little bit to see her pixie partner, Lance, floating beside her starring at her. "Lance what's wrong?" Alice choked out. Her voice sounded rough and rigid. "Nothing you need to worry about." Lance said gently but Alice knew he was avoiding the question. "Lance, something's wrong. Tell me what it is." Alice croaked but her voice sounded more forceful than before. Lance just sighed. "I can never get anything past you, huh?" Lance chuckled lightly before continuing. "There's a Jikochuu attack behind the hospital." Lance said so quietly Alice had to strain her ears to hear. "What?! I need to help them!" Alice said her voice sounding horse. She tried getting out of bed but she could barely get out of the covers. "Y-you can't Alice you're too weak right now to fight!" the bear-like pixie yelled trying to persuade Alice to change her mind. "No I'm not!" Alice croaked stubbornly only to be interrupted by a fit of coughing. "Don't be stupid! You need to stay here and rest!" Lance retorted with equal stubbornness. "Lance. Please!" Alice begged after catching her breath. "I know it's dangerous and stupid but I need to protect my friends. I need Cure Rosetta's strength." Lance didn't meet her gaze. He seemed to be deep in thought. After what felt like forever Lance finally looked at Alice again, making a decision.